As the holidays approach, we should all do our part to relieve some of the pain and suffering of fellow citizens who have fallen on hard times because of the crisis. It is the duty of those of us who still can to cast a protective shield around the unemployed, the homeless and the children paying for the crimes and mistakes of older generations.

Greece has a long tradition in reaching out to the weak and offering a helping hand, and now more than ever is a time to stand by the country and its citizens.

Even more important, however, is our duty to teach our children the importance of helping others who are less fortunate.

Greece will recover from its current predicament and will get back on its feet. Until it does, we must all help those who cannot walk through the storm alone.

Maybe the crisis – for all of its ills – will reawaken those values and principles that have always been close to the Greeks’ hearts and which were lost in the din of prosperity and easy wealth.